*******THIS STORY IS UNDER A MUCH NEEDED EDIT*******

Summary: Carmen Wilson transfers to NCIS, specially to work with Gibbs team, however having the whole new employment planned behind his back, he is extremely pissed about the arrangement and treats her poorly in return. But Carmen needs to be on this team. This team of whom, for the past year has been handling a particular and special serial killer to Carmen, will help lead her right to the answers she is searching for entire life; the missing key to her family demise. Carmen is willing to use any tactics and methods to get what she needs, even treason.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction using the realm and its characters of NCIS, which is owned by CBS. I claimed nothing but my original characters.

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The elevator jolted, coming to a stop on the floor of her new employment with ding! Possible new employment, she corrected herself. Waiting for the doors to open, Carmen curled her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down. It helped calmed her nerves; a 'tell' easily read and a habit she can't break.

This wasn't her first assignment as an agent. Although it was the first with him—him being the obstacle that stood between her and her possible new employment at NCIS. Carmen had heard all about Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, of that he was a very difficult man to work with and easily became frustrated with what concerning seniority and conducting proper protocol procedure; that he often bent the rules by surpassing paperwork altogether; and of that his most infamous teaching tactic of slapping the back of his employees head's when unsatisfied with their performance. She was very aware of the man.

Although, despite her extensive knowledge of Agent Gibbs, it was not one hundred percent certainty she would be working underneath the man; however Director Vance's assurance upon the matter eased her anxiety and set forth some confident of employment. But nevertheless, the final decision was in the hands of Special Agent Gibbs, and assuming from prior proceedings with the man, with heavy considerations of his unwillingness and stubborn temperament, employment was unlikely.

But Carmen needed to work underneath the man. Failure was not an option.

And fate was seemingly impatient and decided that she was going to meet to the man in a much more impressive manner. Before she could even step onto the carpet of the floor, Carmen walked right into the lion's fury.

Carmen Wilson stepped out of the elevator once the doors slid open and collided into a man, of whom was entering the elevator as she was exiting. She accidentally bumped him into the elevator door, of which caused the man to spill the steaming hot coffee he had held in his hand—now down his chest.

Oh, shit, she thought as she peered up at the man and instantly recognized the man to be him—Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs—eyes blazing with rage, temper flaring at her.

The man cursed under his breath, vigorously wiping off the burning coffee as it trickled down his chest. He looked down at his soaked stained shirt, his teeth soundly gritting together as his anger became to surface. Carmen could only assume, as she silently stood watching the man's skin turn red, that her possible new employment was now squandered into simply impossible.

"I am so sorry!" Carmen apologized with widened eyes, staring at the man's wet shirt and solely wishing she was invisible. "I didn't see you coming off . . . the . . . lift—"

She cut her sentence off as an extremely annoyed look etched across the man's face, adequately frightening her into submission and successfully making her feel like a bumbling idiot. Perfect.

The man, after suffering from sufficient coffee burns and realizing there was blame to be issued, shifted his furious gaze upon the instigator, his eyes perfectly still apart from the flame-lit glint in his eye, appearing as though he had a serious considered for strangulation. He glanced at the empty cup in his hand, finding it empty of his precious coffee, then moved his gaze back onto her.

What was that phrase? Never separate a coffee addict from their coffee. Fear suddenly engulfed her body. You're fucked, she mused.

"Boss!" a younger man suddenly hollered from beyond them, running up and stopped beside his apparent 'boss,' and of who was being trailed by a woman, both sporting bags on their shoulders. The new man was about to begin speaking again, then, seeing the status of his boss' shirt, stopped short. He then glanced at Carmen, of who sported her own bag of fear, then turned back to his boss, of whose face was as red as a fire hydrant, then back to Carmen again, becoming seemingly aware and conscious of what had transpired.

However Special Agent Gibbs didn't vocally reprehend her—as she excepted. And sensing the conversation terminated, Carmen stepped off the elevator promptly as he stepped on. The younger man and woman followed him, coming to a halt behind him.

"We can get you a knew one, boss. No problem," the younger man said, thankfully, trying to divert a disaster. He side glanced to Carmen, of who was standing outside the door, staring wide-eyed at the trio—specially the man shooting darts at her, and lightly shook his head, as if to send the message: 'Abort! Abort! Get out while you still can!'

"Sorry, again," Carmen murmured weakly to the man before the door shut in her face. She cursed under her breath, but more soundly loud this time. Idiot!

"Carmen?"

The sound of her name from somewhere beyond her reception startled her. She jolted around to find the director of NCIS smirking at her. Oh, he just witnessed that!? she sulked.

"I hope I didn't startle you," he said, and offered his hand. Carmen forced an unease smile, and shook his hand. "I don't want to scare you off on the first day. . . . " He stopped and half smirked. "Just wait until you meet Gibbs. . . . I'm Director Vance; welcome to NCIS."

He smiled again and placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently and directing her forward and up the stairs to his office. Carmen forced another awkward smile. "Thank you, director."

But I'm sorry to disappoint: I've already met Gibbs and spilled coffee down his chest.

The director released her hand and lead her to his office up the stairs. He held the door open for her, and hastily closed it once she stepped inside. She nudged her way towards his desk and sat down in the chair he gestured. He picked up a cream vanilla folder containing her records and reports, briefly filtering through it before taking his seat.

Carmen silently seated herself, awaiting patiently for the director inquiry to begin even though she knew she had a fleeting chance for the position, after what of the coffee incident. While the director silently re-familiarize himself with her file again, Carmen was inwardly screaming at herself at an opportunity squandered.

"What made you want to transfer to NCIS?" The director suddenly said, forcing Carmen of her train-wreck-of-thought. She flickered her eyes from the floor to meet his waiting person.

"I have heard many good things about this team. Good position. Good salary . . . well manageable salary."

Director Vance chuckled light-heartily at her jab at NCIS for a moment before he suddenly became serious again.

"What is the real reason?"

Carmen slightly flushed, but remained collected. "What makes you think there is another reason?"

"With fifteen years of experience under my belt," he began, his voice dripping with pride. "I think I can tell when anyone is lying."

Carmen forced another smile, glanced down at her feet, then met the director's glistening brown orbs of triumph. She licked her lips, then nonchalantly shrugged her shoulder.

"I suppose I just need a change in scenery—to get away—from a certain person."

Carmen was hopeful he'd just drop it if she indicated some sort of traumatic reasoning such as a ugly breakup (of which was a lie)—scratching the sympathetic itch in his body, of which would hopefully halt his further questioning of her true reason for transferring to NCIS. And to her relief, it did.

The director simply nodded his head and continued with the interview.

An hour later the interview was finally concluded. The director had asked her many questions, answering all of them with caution and precision, but after a while, she slipped into an easy rhythm and answered with out hesitation.

"We are all thrilled to have you here on our team," Director Vance assured her with an easy smile, but she caught a particular uneasy glint in his eye that contradicted his assurance.

"Whose team?" A sudden, very distinct growl inquired behind her, promptly causing her heart to skip a beat. It was him.

Carmen didn't turn to the new presence in the room, but continued to keep her sights set on the director, of whose faces dropped its cheery demeanor into a deep frown and of which slightly set forth a heavy fear in her chest again. Fuck.

"Gibbs," sang the director, somehow compelling a smile across his face. "I'm was just debriefing our newest member."

"Whose team? Vance!" Agent Gibbs repeated, his voice shrilling into a temper. A hot flash surged through Carmen's body as Gibbs stepped into her peripherals. He continued to the director's desk, neither acknowledging her presence in the room nor even sparing her glance sideward.

"Your team Gibbs," Vance replied coolly, well aware of the implications of his response—of the anger it'd fuel.

"Like the hell she is!" Gibbs spat and, finally sparing her a thought, glanced at this 'so-called' newest team member, of who happened to look at the same time and met her eyes. Theirs eyes connected only briefly before she ripped hers away.

She can feel that all too familiar impulse she felt when nerves claimed her body and desired to abed her fears. She can't control herself, and curled her bottom lip into her mouth and bit down. 'Tell' told, she cringed as she still felt the hot gaze of the lion beside her.

"You!" He growled coming to recognizes her. "What is she doing here?"

He had turned back to Vance, ignoring her again, and shooting his death glares at the man behind the desk, now standing. Carmen had this unrelentingly feeling of an heavy anchor on her heart she probably mistook as anxiety when actually it was a becoming hatred for Gibbs. What a rude son-of-a-bitch, she thought and glanced at him, first noticing the dried stain on his shirt, then the shade of red he was turning.

"This better not be what I think it is Vance!"

Director Vance rolled his eyes, containing no desire to hear him complain, then eyed his stained shirt, and said, reflecting the conversation to away from him:

"What happen to your shirt?"

"Why don't you ask you her," Gibbs said flatly. Both mens' eyes shifted to the Carmen sitting in the chair across from them. She stared back at them as coolly as possible. Vance visibly made the connect between her behavior from earlier and his stained shirt, and sighed. It was not good that she had already a spot on his bad side, and her first day of work hadn't even began.

"Carmen Wilson, met your new boss, Special Agent Gibbs."

Carmen's brows raised, surprised with the director's lack of surrender, and met his gaze. It was clearly evident Agent Gibbs had no interest for her to join his team, and wondered why this was going to happen—or so she thought.

"Absolutely not!" Gibbs said, his voice rising with every syllable. "She is not joining my team."

The director, having had quite enough tongue for one sessions, clamped down on his jaw. "I am the Director of NCIS. I say what goes! Not you Gibbs."

Carmen felt she had entangled herself in a web of fury that had been going on between them the two men for some time. The director was standing up for her, but Gibbs apparently couldn't care less. He had a good functioning team? Why would he need another agent? But although the director's status is of higher rank and stature than Gibbs, Carmen for some reason had a respect for him that Director Vance couldn't touch. Perhaps it was all the hours of studying Gibbs that influenced her liking towards him. It puzzled her as Gibbs remained adamant.

The room fell silent, both men staring intensely at the other. Carmen waited for one of them to speak, but neither did. Gibbs was about to turn around and walk out, but the director spoke before he could.

"Carmen is an overly qualified agent and has much experience in the field."

Gibbs scuffled when hearing she had much experience in the field. The director stopped, waiting for him to reply. It seemed this new information began to sway the cold man's decision for some reason. It surprised her considerately to hear the man's next words.

"If you are going to be on my team, you'll dam well have to earn your spot and earn my trust. Don't ever, step out of line with me."

Carmen almost felt unwilling. Both men stared at her, waiting for her to say 'thank you for the job', or 'I won't let you down' or 'you can count on me,' but she knew she'd only be fooling herself and making an ass out of herself. She simply extended her gratitude with a nod and forced smile. It began silent again, and feeling the tension mount, she bit her bottom lip again. She glanced to Agent Gibbs and noticed his gaze shifted to her lips, studying it. She instantly stop biting her bottom lip and turned away from him. She could still feel his eyes on her, watching her, but before he could go any deeper they were interrupted.

The younger man of who was in the elevator had ran into the office. Carmen, Agent Gibbs, and Director Vance turned their gazes to the new presence upon hearing a few knocks. The man stopped at the sight of Carmen, then his gaze shifted to Gibb's stained shirt.

"Geez, boss. It was just an accident."

"DiNozzo!" Gibbs said impatiently, becoming instantly frustrated with the man's misinterpretation of the situation. Besides, Gibbs thought, I'd do a lot more to this Carmen Wilson for what he did to me.

"Right boss—we got him. I mean we don't have him yet. Witnesses matched his description and phoned him in. He's on the run—"

Gibbs didn't even so much as let another breath escape his lips before running the door. Carmen, after having watched the two men flee, turned back to the director, going to ask him what was the next step that was required of her then, but she was interrupted.

"Wilson!"

Gibbs' voice rang through the air, and Carmen quickly stood from her chair, thanked the director, and sped after the two men.

"Good luck," he hollered after her. You're literally going to need it.

Agent Gibbs rushed to his desk, grabbed his jacket and slung a back bag over his shoulder and was moving to the elevator before Carmen could make into the space of their desks.

"Ziva, Tony, with me. McGee stay here. Wilson you too!"

Carmen didn't even get as so much as word out before the elevator doors shut. She halted in her tracks, and signed. What now? she thought and turned around, becoming slightly startle as she met a man lurking behind her.

"Hi?" the man said with an uncertain voice.

"Hi," Carmen repeated back, uncertainty in her voice, too. "I'm—"

"She's your new team member," someone answered for her. Carmen and the new man turned around and found Director Vance leaning over the railing the balcony. "Why don't you show her around. Let her meet the rest of the team."

"Oh," the man said, his brows furrowing in confusion, but as quickly as it came, it disappeared with a shrug. "Well I'm McGee. You can call me Tim." He offered his hand, and Carmen gladly accepted as she heard the genuine tone in his voice. She smiled widely, finally feeling comfortable again. "You know, I wasn't aware we were going to have a new member—" he paused, watching her smile fade. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing, of course, but Gibbs . . . He doesn't really want me here."

McGee chuckled a little at her. Carmen didn't take offense as she assumed this Agent McGee had prior occurrences like this, and it peaked her curiosity.

"What?"

"That's Gibbs for you. He doesn't like meeting new people. And he just has to warm up to you. Don't worry about it. Just give it a few weeks . . . Or maybe a few mouths." Carmen smiled a little. "Here, lets me introduce you to Abby and Ducky."

McGee motioned for the elevators across the room. Carmen, feeling ease seep into her body, relaxed and followed the nice man, Agent McGee.

"Who's Abby?" Carmen asked when McGee pressed the button, waiting for the elevator.

"Abby is Gibbs' favorite. And will always be," he said, then continued. "Abby is into Goth, coffins and is our department's best lab tech. She likes Caf Pow, and . . . " He paused and stepped into the elevator. " . . . is always in a good mood." McGee, unbeknownst to him, was smiling brightly. Carmen looked at him curiously, then watched him look over her own smile and realized it was in reflection of his and stopped smiling.

"What?"

"I didn't say anything." Carmen said trying her hardest not to smile.

"You didn't have to. Your expression gave it away."

"Your affectionate towards Abby, aren't you?" Carmen asked but was pretty sure of the answer already.

"Well, I mean Abby and I did go out, but were just friends now." McGee stopped when the elevators doors opened. Even if he had continued, Carmen wouldn't had been able to hear him. Loud music suddenly filled the entire floor, including the hallway elevator, and only grew louder as Agent McGee lead her into a the science lab.

"ABBY!" Agent McGee yelled at the woman looking at the computer screen, swaying to the music. She didn't hear him. "She also likes loud music," he told her walking closer to Abby.

"ABBY!"

The woman finally spin around, startled, but once she saw McGee, she smiled.

"McGee!" Abby sang and jumped on him, pulling him into a bare hug. The woman's eyes, when they opened, popped open and noticed Carmen standing behind the embracing pair. She slipped from the hug and ran over to her stereo and turned it off.

"Hi, I'm Abby Sciuto," she said with so much enthusiasm, Carmen winced from such happy greetings, and watched the woman bounce over to her. Despite the woman's odd behavior and attire, she couldn't help but smile widely-genuinely.

"Hello, Abby, I'm Carmen Wilson," Carmen greeted in return. "I'm a new agent for Mr. Gibbs—Agent Gibbs."

"Gibbs!" Abby said excited. "Wow when you said Mr. Gibbs, it's sounds so weird, but we have to call him Gibbs—well always call him Gibbs, but anyway, we get to work together. Whoot!"

Abby, feeling an another surge of excitement, scooped Carmen into her arms and forced her into a hug.

"Um, thanks," Carmen mumbled once the woman Abby released her. She surprisingly was quite strong.

Abby walked back to McGee and whispered, "Thank gosh she doesn't have red hair or we might have had a problem."

McGee promptly agreed. Carmen heard this and again, her curiosity was peaked although she was already aware of Agent Gibbs' infatuation with red head woman.

"What would happen if I had red hair?"

"Oh, you heard that?" Abby said innocently, but when it came to Gibbs, she loved talking about him. "Well, Gibbs likes—"

"Abby!" McGee interrupted her. They exchanged looks.

"Fine! But I will tell her sooner or later!" She paused. "Hey, maybe we can have a sleepover then I can tell you all the gossip about Gibbs! This is going to be so much fun!"

Although a sleepover was a little childish and juvenile, Carmen considered it—make friends—gain information.

Carmen smiled.

"Okay, Abby, we got to go. Bye." McGee nudged Carmen to the door.

"So soon?" pouted Abby. "Okay. Bye McGee, bye Carmen. It was nice meeting you."

"You too, Abby," Carmen replied, before disappearing with Agent McGee into the elevator. "I like Abby."

"It's hard not to," he smiled, and they stepped onto the elevator. He hit the basement button before continuing. "Now, we are going to meet Ducky."

"Who's Ducky?"

"Ducky is our coroner."

Carmen's brows furrowed between momentarily considering the name 'Ducky.' Cute and intriguing, she thought, and wondered who belonged to that name.

The elevators doors opened and a smell all too familiar to her invaded her senses. She inwardly cringed once Agent McGee left the elevator, but she quickly collected her before following after him. They walked into the coroner's room of where hosted with an older man at his desk.

"Ah, hello. McGee, I'm surprised to see you down here," the old man chuckled, and turned into his chair to greet this new companions. He took notice of the figure behind McGee and greeted her as well except with an cheery reception.

"Why, my dear. I'm Ducky Mallard—Donald, excuse me," he chuckled at his slip; "And you must be Dr. Carmen Wilson."

Carmen smiled warmly at the declaration of her correct title and walked over to accost the man, Ducky.

"You're a doctor?" McGee asked surprised, staring between the two, well, doctors.

"Yes and the top of her class," Ducky bragged, flattering Carmen with blush.

"But how—"

"The director asked me. He had three people in mind, my dear, but I told him you were the best for the job."

Carmen couldn't help but smile. "So you're the one responsibility for making this all possible for me? I know you a large debt, sir. And stop it, Ducky your making me blush."

"But it is true, my dear," he said blushing in return.

"So why aren't you a doctor anymore?" McGee asked.

"Well I went to school to be a doctor and landed my first job right of college, but I wasn't as passionate as I thought I could be."

"Then you became an agent?" McGee asked.

"No, then I joined the Marines and . . ." She stopped. All the memories came painfully flooding her mind. It could be visibly seen on her face and she despised it. Only Ducky caught glimpse of her expression. " . . . and then somehow ended up as an agent, yes."

"Did you know that Gibbs was an Marine."

"No I didn't," she lied with a force smile. " . . . Well it was very nice to meet you Ducky."

"Pleasure is mine, my dear." He grabbed her hand and kissed the top of it.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"It's Gibbs," McGee said looking down at his phone, then answered it. "Yes boss?"

Carmen couldn't hear what he was saying, but it was a short conversation.

"He's getting away! And they need me to track his car GPS!"

Ducky nodded and walked back over to his desk. "Good luck my dear. And about Gibbs." Carmen stopped when hearing his the man's name. "Don't take anything he does or says to heart. He will eventually warm up to you."

Carmen thanked him quickly and said goodbye before scurrying to the elevator before the door shut. Agent McGee ran out of the elevator to his desk. He started typing away at his computer faster than Carmen had ever seen.

"Here, call Gibbs," he said, tossing his phone to Carmen. Her heart skipped another beat, but nevertheless, she searched his contact list looking for Gibbs' name. She quickly found it and pressed talk. She put it on speaker phone so she wouldn't have to speak to him directly.

"McGee where is he!" Gibbs' voice suddenly snapped. Even from beyond, he still had the ability to frighten her slightly.

"He is rounding the corner of Jefferson and 10th . . . . Boss? " The phone went silent, seconds later shots were heard. "Boss is every—"

"It's fine, McGee—"

Click.

"Did he just hang up?" McGee asked, peering over his computer monitor, eyes widened and concerned. Carmen sadly nodded, sincerely hoping that every turned out alright, and gently placed the phone on his desk. She looked around and found a chair and rolled it besides McGee's desk.

"So, . . ." Carmen treaded lightly; "Why don't you tell me about yourself, Tim." She watched his raise. "I mean we have time, right? The bad guy is caught?"

"Hopefully," he sighed loudly, his head rolling backward.

"What do you mean?"

"About a year ago," he sighed again. "We found a woman and her child without reason to be, well, murdered. We found absolutely nothing; no evidence, no leads—just nothing. Unfortunately, the case went case— even despite Gibbs' ferocious passion. He took the failure to his heart. Then, after months another woman and her child were found; same M.O. and everything. You've no idea the toll it took on him. I mean, it never speaks of it personally, to anyone, but you just see it in his eyes. And now, just two weeks ago, another woman and child were found. . . . It's why, well, Gibbs' considerately more agitated than usual."

"Why did Gibb take this case to heart?" Carmen asked, but she already had an strong behind his motivation.

McGee sighed sadly again.

"While Gibbs was in Iraq, his wife and child were murdered—" his voice cracked and he cleared throat, but didn't continue—or perhaps he just couldn't. Carmen bowed her head in respect, her memories flood back with a force.

"I'm so sorry."

"So if Gibbs seems like an ass, he has a good reason to be. He only pushes you because he cares, so you'll know if he takes a liking to you or not. He'll always have your back despite his cold mannerism."

Carmen force a small smile, and nodded. The conversation drifted away from the case at hand into a more positive direction, speaking about McGee, his interests, and various other topics including a book he write 'loosely' based from his work and coworkers. Carmen told him to get to a copy for her with a bubbling smile. The conversation shifted to places around D.C. for her to check out like good restaurants, coffee houses, and bars around the area. Carmen was gratefully to forge a good alliance with Agent McGee—or friendship as he would call it. Then the odd woman, Abby, came upstairs and becomes explaining her interests and tattoos.

"I've always wanted to get a tattoo," Carmen said mischievously, knowing it would enflame Abby's excitement. From the corner of Carmen's eye, she saw Agent McGee's brow raise in surprise. Yea, she agreed. I'm not really a tattoo person.

"What's stopping you?" Abby squealed. "You know, I know this great place that does mine."

"I don't know," Carmen smiled, winking at McGee, of who smiled in return. "I guess I was just too busy, or simply, I just don't have the guts."

"Guts or not guts. I'm taking you to get one!" Abby bounced up and down, excited she was daydreaming about inviting a friend along.

"To get one what?"

The sudden tired and aggravated voice startled the trio, but Abby twirled around and pulled the man into her embrace—to Carmen's sole shock.

"Abby!" He shouted, but the woman continued to hold him in her furious grasp. Carmen waited for him to yell at her, but he didn't. Strangely, and to her most anticipated reaction, he pulled away and walked around to his desk. He walked past her without so much as a glance—he simply walked to his desk and plopped down exhausted. He appeared as if he was going to pass-out.

"So what happened?" McGee asked his coworkers as they joined the bull pen, standing behind his desk, his voice spouting concern again.

"He got away," a younger woman replied, of who Carmen recognized as the woman who had been following Agent Gibbs in the elevator, her voice dipping in disappointment. Then a man named DiNozzo entered from the elevator, body just as worn down as the other two. He didn't have anything to say or add.

Carmen turned her head toward Gibbs, wanting to judge his behavior upon the matter, but she just met a stony reception, a face of cold steel. However, she sis notice his eyes blinking far too rapidly than what was considered normal. He shook his head as if he was trying to come out of a dizzy spell. No one seemed to notice his odd behavior. And despite his irritations, he was managing to answer all the questions that fired out of Abby's mouth.

"Are you okay, Gibbs?"

"I'm fine Abby," he lied.

"You could have been hurt! From now on, you can't leave without saying good-bye to me first . . And giving me a hug . . And giving me a kiss on the cheek."

And again, becoming baffled again and despite everything she learned, Gibbs defiled his infamous persona. It seemed he held very special and exclusive relationship with the woman. It didn't seem to faze the other members of the team.

And after sometime baring Abby's questions, Gibbs sighed, stood, and met the woman around his desk. He half smiled and—

"Carmen?"

Hearing her name, she snapped towards this new voice. "Carmen,? I'm Ziva David. It's nice to meet you. Although I admit, I had no idea we were adding an addition to the team."

"I'm Agent DiNozzo," said the man who had burst into her interview to fetch Agent Gibbs, coming to stand before with a wide grin. "But you can call me Tony, if you like. "

When Carmen shook his hand, he winked at her. She owned a strong desire to roll her eyes at the lady's charmer, but just offered him a half-smile. He was a handsome and sharply dressed man, she had to admit. Probably a cougar tamer, shemused.

"Agent Carmen Wilson," she replied to the pair, and just for kicks, she added, "but you can call me Carmen." She winked at Agent DiNozzo, teasing the man with his own game. However not a second later, Agent Gibbs interrupted.

"Wilson!"

Carmen inwardly cringed, but her face remained collected and she turned around to meet her new boss' reception.

"This is Wilson. Vance hired her because he thinks were need another agent." His voice was condescending and irritable.

"How come you didn't tell us about hiring someone new?" McGee asked.

"Because I didn't know myself until just today."

Gibbs, having retaken his seat behind his desk, suddenly stood up, his body lightly swaying to the side, his hands holding his head. He sighed and began to shrug off his suit jacket revealing the coffee stain and—

Abby gasped and shrieked, "Gibbs your blooding!" The woman was at his side in a moment.

Everyone was in 'awe,' but no one moved. Carmen watched Gibbs looked down to his shirt, momentarily regarding the coffee stain before his eyes traveled further south, stopping as his peered down at a long, hormonal slash across his lower abdominal, blood seeping through his light blue shirt.

Abby whimpered in fear and started to frantically pull the man's tucked shirt from his pants.

"Abby!" Gibbs yelled, feeling himself become undressed by the woman's hands, but it was to late. Abby had pull, unbuttoned his shirt, and spread the leaves of his shirt wide open to reveal a bleeding cut from hip to hip.

Despite Agent Gibbs' bleeding body, Carmen couldn't help but notice the man was of a very strong build and quite in shape for a man of his age. Then she caught a glimpse of something, not fear but puzzlement? Carmen considerate the man for several moments before concluding the man had not idea how he hurt.

"Boss you need to get that looked at," DiNozzo suddenly piped in, but then disdain spread across his face, wishing he had kept his mouth shut.

"Always stating the obvious, DiNozzo."

"It's not too serious," Carmen said, stepping forward. "I could stitch you up, if you wanted." And without waiting for his answer of 'no,' Carmen walked around his desk and stopped before the man. "May I?"

She hadn't intended to sound so sarcastic and watched as one brow raised suspiciously.

"What qualifies you to be a doctor?" he asked spitefully.

Oh, I don't know. Six years of medical school and a degree? She kept her thoughts at bay, knowing he'd become fierce, and having no desire to step out of line with the man, answered:

"I was a doctor before becoming an agent."

She watched his brow raise again, but this time she ignored him. By now she had bent down to examine the cut.

"If you don't want to go to the emergency room, I can stitch you up here. I'm sure Doctor Mallard has the instruments here to do so," she said, looking up from his waist. If he said yes, then it would be a big step forward to gaining his trust, however if he didn't, it would feel like a slap in the face. She stood up, waiting for his answer.

"Thanks, but I'll just go to Ducky."

SLAP!

Agent Gibbs walked past her, slightly pushing her on his way out as he went. Abby was right on his heels.

"Go home and get some rest. I'll see you all on Monday!"

Watching Agent Gibbs and Abby disappear into an elevator, Carmen turned to Agent McGee and sighed, "I tried."

"Gibbs is . . ." Agent McGee looked to Tony and Ziva as he stumbled over the right word to describe their boss.

"Gibbs is not a very trusting man." Agent David plainly divulged.

"So I noticed," Carmen said, and plopped down her in chair beside Agent McGee's desk. "It'll take some time, I know."

"Well see you later all, then," Agent David said, gathering her things into her bag.

"You mean 'see you all later.' " Carmen corrected her with a small smile.

"That is what I said,"

"See, that's the spirit!" sang Agent DiNozzo. "You're fitting in all ready." He continued to explain that Ziva always misspoke and still have no grasp on American expressions. Ziva retorted by throwing a pencil at Tony. She rolled her eyes. "Bye guys. Good Night, Carmen."

Agent David disappeared into an elevator.

"You need a ride home since you just moved here?" Agent McGee offered. Carmen sincerely appreciated the kind gesture, but declined.

"No, thanks, McGee. I was going to grab a drink anyway. I'll just get a cab. Thanks though." She smiled at him and said her goodbyes, and disappeared into the elevator.

"Awe, Probie," Tony pouted, and taunted him. "Gets shut down by the new girl on the first day!?"

McGee rolled his eyes. "Good-night Tony!"

~:.:~

"Abby, why don't you go home, Ducky is almost done here." Gibbs rubbed Abby's shoulder desperately trying to insure some kind of confident in the woman.

"Well, okay!" she sulked finally. "But call me when you get home. I don't want you to—"

"Abby! I'm fine. Go home. Get some sleep." Gibbs didn't raise his voice. "Bye Abs." Gibbs motioned his arm for a hug. Abby happily skipped over to him, and carefully hugged him. He kissed her on her head. "Good-night Abby."

Abby finally left.

"That should do it." Ducky said, cutting the left over stitches. "What happened out there Jethro?"

"I don't know, I don't even remembering feeling it." Gibbs said, looking down at his cut. "I was so focused on catching him that I . . . " He bowed his head in frustration, and released he was divulge the old man too much. "I don't know when I got cut. But I'm fine now, thanks." Once again Gibbs dismissed his emotions. Gibbs hopped over the table, and begin button his shirt.

"So how is your newest member getting along?" Ducky asked with a cheerful voice.

"Who? Wilson?" Gibbs said nonchalantly. The woman had barley crossed his mind.

"You know when I picked her I—"

"Wait? You picked her?!"

"Well, yes dear boy," Ducky said, ignoring the flaming temper beginning to writhe. "About a two weeks ago the director came to me and asked my opinion on some candidates, and Carmen was the far most quality and well-rounded."

"So you went behind my back is what you're telling me? Why did you keep this from me? It's my god-damn team!"

"Because of this exact reason. You would have shut the poor girl down without so much a second's consideration. However now that she is here, you just can't send her back."

"Like hell I can," he spat, and finished buttoning his shirt. He started towards to the elevator. "Thanks Duck."

"Jethro?"

Gibbs reluctantly turned around.

"She is a sweet girl, don't scare her off."

Gibbs scuffed the old man's words, and vanished into the elevator. He need to drain this nightmare. He needed a drink.